Characterization of Jatropha Curcas kernel for biodiesel production

Abstract

This study was conducted to characterize and investigate physical changes happen to Jatropha Curcas kernel in order to improve the efficiency of biodiesel production. The J.curcas seed was obtained from Perlis local supplier and they were manually separated from the shells. J.curcas seed were hand cracked and the shells were carefully removed to obtain the kernel which were they used for analysis. It was grinded into smaller particles and finally sieved into powder form which about 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm of granular size. The heat is applied to the wet raw kernel in order to remove the free water and it was found that the percentage of the weight loss of the kernel is around 3.0%. While, the moisture content of J. curcas kernel is 4.52 %. The X-Ray Fluorescent (XRF) analysis done showed that Potassium (K) has highest value of concentration unit that’s about 35%. Through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the morphological structure of J. curcas was observed. The gross energy obtained for J. curcas kernel is 29.45 MJ/kg. While in proximate analysis which was observed using Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) found that around 3.1% of water content has been removed at temperature 100°C to 150°C, 78.9% of volatile matter content removed at temperature 150°C to 220°C and 18.0% carbonization has occurred at temperature between 250°C to 300°C.